Improving documentation of blood product administration using a standardized electronic health record-based system: a single-institution experience

Abstract

Objectives: To improve documentation of blood product administration by assessing the completion status of blood transfusions. In this way, we can ensure compliance with the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies standards and facilitate investigation of potential blood transfusion reactions. Methods: This before-and-after study includes the implementation of an electronic health record (EHR)-based, standardized protocol for documenting the completion of blood product administration. Twenty-four months of retrospective data (January-December 2021) and prospective data (January-December 2022) were collected. Meetings were held before the intervention. Ongoing daily, weekly, and monthly reports were prepared, and targeted education to deficient areas as well as spot in-person audits by the blood bank residents were conducted. Results: During 2022, 8,342 blood products were transfused, of which 6,358 blood product administrations were documented. The overall percentage of completed transfusion order documentation improved from 35.54% (units/units) in 2021 to 76.22% (units/units) in 2022. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary collaborative efforts helped produce quality audits to improve the documentation of blood product transfusion through a standardized and customized EHR-based blood product administration module.